Apple MacBook 2008 Edition - black (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 250GB HDD)

Description: This configuration of the Apple MacBook 2008 is a 5.1-pound, mainstream consumer notebook computer. Compared to other mainstream consumer notebooks on the market, it is midpriced at around $1,490. Has Wi-Fi (wireless connectivity) built-in. Features Intel GMA X3100 graphics with 144MB of video RAM.

Pros: Has a 250GB hard drive, which is considerably larger than some similarly priced notebooks. Also, this notebook has 2 GB RAM, which is somewhat more than some similarly priced notebooks.

Cons: Has only a 13.3-inch screen size, which is smaller than some similarly priced notebooks. For example, the Dell Inspiron 1720 , a -pound notebook at around $1, 400, has a 17.0 screen size. Also, this notebook has an integrated housing media bay, which is somewhat less favorable than some similarly priced notebooks. For example, the HP Business nc6230 , a 5.1-pound notebook at around $1, 640, has a plug-in module media bay. The Apple MacBook 2008 comes with basic word processing software – if you often need to create presentations you will likely need to upgrade to a more powerful office suite . This notebook's Intel GMA X3100 graphics chip uses system memory, which sometimes results in slower performance.

Suitability: Suited for those who just need a basic notebook. Preserve favorite home movies for future generations by saving them onto DVD with this computer's DVD recorder. With 144MB of dedicated video RAM, this machine will do very well compared to most other notebooks, when it comes to multimedia applications and games. Clean up your digital photographs with the photo editing software included with this laptop. If you have a wireless network at home, wirelessly browse the Web from any room in your house with this Wi-Fi enabled laptop.

Value: In general, this notebook's features are as expected for this price.

Suggestions: (1) Given this device's Wi-Fi capability, you may want to get a wireless access point for your home, so that you can browse the Web more conveniently from any room. (2) To get the most out of this laptop's Bluetooth capability, you could have a Bluetooth-enabled headset, PDA or other device, and be able to link it wirelessly to your computer within a range of 20-or-so feet inside the same room.